MR3V/MR6V explained

Background:
  1. 67b5e8
MR3V / MR6V
Service:2025
Manufacturer:Alstom
Factory:Valenciennes
Family:Metropolis
Yearconstruction:2020–present
Numberservice:2 in test (static and dynamic test for now) in the workshop of line 15. 4 or more in test at Alstom factory[1]
Doors:3 per side
Traction:Alstom OptoniX IGBT VVVF
Collectionmethod:Pantograph
Brakes:Electrodynamic, regenerative, disc, eddy current[2]
Coupling:Scharfenberg type

MR3V/6V project name, for "Matériel Roulant 3 Voitures / 6 Voitures" (Rolling Stock 3 Cars / 6 Cars) are future rolling stock, to equip the new lines 15, 16 and 17 of the Paris Metro.

Background

In May 2018, the Société du Grand Paris announced that the manufacturer Alstom was approached to win the contracts for the trains on lines 15, 16 and 17 of the Grand Paris Express. The contract provides for the delivery of a maximum of 1,000 cars, which are divided into 133 six-car trains for line 15 and 50 three-car trains for lines 16 and 17, all based on the Metropolis family trains.[3] [4]

On 20 September 2018, the contract was officially signed with Alstom for the manufacture of rolling stock for a total cost of 1.3 billion euros and, quickly, a sketch of the design of this rolling stock was unveiled.[5] The first 3-car sets were seen at the beginning of November 2021 in dynamic tests in the Alstom rail test centre in Valenciennes.

During the year 2021 the first images of the trains were unveiled on twitter. In 2022 tests were carried out on a test track at an Alstom factory in the north of France.

On June 22, 2023, the first MR6V train arrived at the Champigny depot on line 15. The second arrived on July 3 and will allow static tests to be carried out until November 2023, when dynamic tests will begin on the now completed East section, of line 15.

Description

The MR3V / MR6V are fully automated with open-gangway connections.[6] They are planned in two versions: with six cars (MR6V), for a length of, and with three cars (MR3V), for a length of . Unlike the classic gauge of the Paris metro, these trains will be wide. The capacity of the trains is respectively, for the compositions of three and six cars, 500 and 1000 seats, 20% of which are seated. They will be powered by a overhead catenary.[7]

Exterior

The exterior design of the trains was unveiled in early December 2018 with three variants. A consultation open to the public took place during December 2018 to allow the choice of the chosen design. After 20 days of consultation and 13,000 voters, it was the second design with "encompassing lines for the nose of the train" that was chosen by 40% of respondents.[8]

Interior

The interior of the trains will have the new IDFM seats.

Formations

MR6V

will use driverless trains in a 6-car formation, MR6V (4M2T).

As of 1 March 2022, 2 six-car sets were built at Valenciennes factory.

 
 
 
Car No. 1 > 2 3 < 4 > 5 6 <[9]
TypeM T MM T M

MR3V

will use driverless 3-car trainsets, MR3V. (2M1T).

As of 5 May 2022, three completed trains are on standby at Alstom factory for tests.

 
 
Car No. 1 <> 2 3 <>
TypeM T M
 
 
Car No. 1 <> 2 3 <>
TypeM T M

Notes and References

  1. https://twitter.com/GdParisExpress/status/1671816941076357121
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwa_r--j2qo
  3. « Alstom va produire près de 200 trains pour le Grand Paris Express » [archive], sur usinenouvelle.com [archive], 2 mai 2018 (consulté le 23 mai 2018).
  4. « Le design des futurs métros des lignes 15, 16 et 17 d’Île-de-France révélé par Île-de-France Mobilités, Société du Grand Paris et Alstom » [archive], sur alstom.com, 2 octobre 2018 (consulté le 5 novembre 2021).
  5. Présentation du Grand Paris Express pour les opérateurs et Île-de-France Mobilités [archive], sur iledefrance-mobilites.fr, consultée le 5 novembre 2021.
  6. « Présentation du Grand Paris Express pour les opérateurs et Île-de-France Mobilités » [archive] [PDF], sur iledefrance-mobilites.fr, 13 juin 2019 (consulté le 20 février 2022), p. 29
  7. « On a visité le futur métro du Grand Paris » [archive], sur usinenouvelle.com, 2 octobre 2020 (consulté le 5 novembre 2021).
  8. Lucas Biosca, « Voilà à quoi ressembleront les futurs métros du Grand Paris Express » [archive], sur CNEWScnews.fr, 14 janvier 2019 (consulté le 7 janvier 2022)
  9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KIhcJFohoQ